Compact power supply module and cord

Abstract

A product such as a portable radio adapted for operation from either an internal battery source or an external source of relatively high voltage alternating current electric power is provided with a removable power module containing all of the high voltage components required for operation from the alternating current source. The removable power module is connected to the product by a low bulk, low voltage electrical connector through a recess in the product housing, the recess being sized to receive both the power module and the electrical connector when battery operation is desired. Because of the low bulk of the electrical connector, the size of the recess may be minimized.

What is claimed as new and is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. In a product having a primary housing and an electrical load therein adapted for selective energization from first and second sources of direct current electric power, said first source comprising battery means received within said primary housing and said secondary source comprising means for converting relatively high voltage alternating current to relatively low voltage direct current, the improvement comprising: a secondary housing containing at least all of the high voltage components of said second source including terminal means for connection to an external source of alternating current electric power,   a recess within said primary housing accessible from the exterior of said primary housing,   a relatively low bulk, low voltage electrical conductor interconnecting said secondary housing and said product through said recess for supplying low voltage electric power to said product from said secondary housing,   said recess within said primary housing being configured and sized to receive both said secondary housing and said electrical conductor for storage therein when the product is not being energized from said second source, the low bulk of said low voltage electrical conductor permitting the size of said recess to be minimized,   and latching means for releasably securing said secondary housing and said electrical conductor within said recess.   
     
     
       2. The product as defined by claim 1 in which said secondary housing includes external wall means adapted to form a substantial continuation of the outer surface of said primary housing when said secondary housing is secured within said recess. 
     
     
       3. The product as defined by claim 1 in which said electrical conductor is permanently attached to both said secondary housing and said product, whereby said electrical conductor cannot be lost or mislaid. 
     
     
       4. The product as defined by claim 1 in which said second source comprises: a power transformer within said secondary housing having a primary winding connected to said terminal means and a secondary winding,   and rectifying means within said primary housing coupled to said secondary winding and said electrical conductor for converting low voltage alternating current to low voltage direct current for energization of the product.   
     
     
       5. The product as defined by claim 4 in which said secondary housing includes external wall means adapted to form a substantial continuation of the outer surface of said primary housing when said secondary housing is secured within said recess. 
     
     
       6. The product is defined by claim 1 further comprising: switching means having a first operative state for connecting said first source to the load for product energization therefrom and a second operative state for connecting said second source to the load for product energization therefrom,   and switch actuating means at least partially carried by said secondary housing for switching said switching means to said first operative state when said secondary housing is secured within said recess and for switching said switching means to said second operative state when said secondary housing is removed from said recess.   
     
     
       7. The product as defined by claim 6 in which said switching means in said first operative state connects only said first source to the load and in said second operative state connects only said second source to the load. 
     
     
       8. The product as defined by claim 6 in which said switching means in said first operative state connects both said first and second sources to the load and in said second operative state connects only said second source to the load. 
     
     
       9. The product as defined by claim 6 in which said secondary housing includes external wall means adapted to form a substantial continuation of the outer surface of said primary housing when said secondary housing is secured within said recess. 
     
     
       10. The product as defined by claim 6 in which electrical conductor is permanently attached to both said secondary housing and said product, whereby said electrical conductor cannot be lost or mislaid. 
     
     
       11. The product as defined by claim 6 in which said second source comprises: a power transformer within said secondary housing having a primary winding connected to said terminal means and a secondary winding,   and rectifying means within said primary housing coupled to said secondary winding and said electrical conductor for converting low voltage alternating current to low voltage direct current for energization of the product.   
     
     
       12. The product as defined by claim 11 in which said secondary housing includes external wall means adapted to form a substantial continuation of the outer surface of said primary housing when said secondary housing is secured within said recess. 
     
     
       13. The product as defined by claim 12 in which said switching means in said first operative state connects only said first source to the load an in said second operative state connects only said second source to the load. 
     
     
       14. The product as defined by claim 12 in which said switching means in said first operative state connects both said first and second sources to the load and in said second operative state connects only said second source to the load.